Dropped to draped in glory: Cult hero’s GF redemption
Lifelong Wests player Jake Thornton starred in the Tigers’ 42-18 grand final win over Townsville Brothers.
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ON A field full of smiles, no grin was wider than that of Jake Thornton.
Two years removed from being dropped to Reserve Grade and missing Wests’ breakthrough premiership success, the Tigers’ cult hero was named best on ground in Sunday night’s RLMD A-Grade grand final win over Townsville Brothers.
Thornton was flawless under the high ball and made metres for fun in the return game, while also crossing for two first-half tries which helped break the game open.
A roar went up around the ground when Thornton’s name was called to receive the honour.
“He’s a local junior who plays with such heart,” coach Craig Menkins said of Thornton.
“No one runs the ball harder than him. He brought the ball back with great spirit all game and he’s done that all year.
“He deserved to claim that fullback spot – he had to fight for it – and deserved the rewards he got today.”
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It was Thornton’s first senior premiership success with Wests, having played for the club for most of his life.
That it came just hours after his brother Reece, also a fullback, helped steer Wests to a long-awaited Reserve Grade premiership made the night that much sweeter.
“It’s actually really good. I can’t wait to go celebrate with him at the club,” Thornton said.
“I’ve been around the club my whole life.
“Wests junior … (now) premiership winner.”
After consecutive close encounters with Townsville prior to the decider, Thornton was full of praise for how his side clinically dismantled their 2020 season rivals.
“The boys turned up from the get-go. We didn’t give them anything. Played for the whole 80 minutes,” he said.
“The first two games we played them was very close. To come out and play the way we did tonight, it feels really good to put it to them like that.
“We’ve had a ridiculously good year and got the biscuits.”
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